Another boat registration question

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
In MN, if you use a boat only for duck hunting it does not have to be registered. Say I take this boat to WI where their rules say it has to be registered if using for hunting. Whose rules do I have to follow? Easy to follow each States shooting regs but hardware regs not so easy. Suppose I take the same boat to another State that has different rules from both MN and WI? When would it stop?

Mark W
 
Whose rules do I have to follow?
Mark,
That question is easily answered. Same logic as any other situation, you follow the rules in place for the time and area in which you are in. In Iowa I don't have to register my 12 foot kayak. If I am in MN in the BWCA I need the kayak to be registered. Doesn't matter what state I register it with, but it needs to be registered to comply with the rules in place for the area I am using it.
I don't know if Wisconsin requires out of state boats to be registered. I do know they require resident boats to be registered. Some times out of state folks are exempted form a local regulation. An example would be front license plate on motor vehicles. One would have to carefully research the regulations to be sure you are in compliance.
 
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Mark, What section of your regs indicates that duck boats in Mn don't need to be registered? I just looked and can't find it.

There is no mention in the Wisconsin regs of a hunting or non-hunting use having anything to do with whether it needs to be registered or not. Registration is based on length and or motor use.

To get back to your original question, seems to me that if your are registered in your home state you would "most likely" be OK in other states but always check that states regs to makes sure. Works that way with ATVs in some states but not all - it pays to check.
 
I would get a copy of the WI boating regs... http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/LE/LE0301.pdf ...
and look at the 5th page where it talks about registering vessels.

WI law requires certain boats to be registered, either in WI or the owner's home state. Further, if the boat will be in WI for 60 or more consecutive days it must be registered in WI. I've noticed from past experience that other states have very similar rules.

Many states do not require non-motorized boats to be registered and that can be a problem, as Dave points out, when tourists come to the BWCA.

As for MN and licensing duck boats, the exemption also applies to boats used for harvesting wild rice. It's on page 1 of our boating guide: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf
 
Not quite true Dave, WI does does not require trailers, or certain size trailers to be licensed... you see them in Iowa where licenses are required with no issue. I don't know that I would apply this to Mark's question... but....
 
I would get a copy of the WI boating regs... http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/LE/LE0301.pdf ...
and look at the 5th page where it talks about registering vessels.

WI law requires certain boats to be registered, either in WI or the owner's home state. Further, if the boat will be in WI for 60 or more consecutive days it must be registered in WI. I've noticed from past experience that other states have very similar rules.

Many states do not require non-motorized boats to be registered and that can be a problem, as Dave points out, when tourists come to the BWCA.

As for MN and licensing duck boats, the exemption also applies to boats used for harvesting wild rice. It's on page 1 of our boating guide: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf
Click to expand...

Yep, this is my point exactly. WI says I can either register the boat in my home State or in Wisconsin. My home State says I do not have to register my boat if I only use it for duck hunting. I've had the Hoefgen now for a number of years and only use it for hunting and have hunted in WI with it for the same number of years. I've never registered it. always thought if I get checked when in it and questioned, I would just say MN does not require me to register it.

It is easy to comply with the rules regarding limits, duck types, # of fish allowed by lake and so on but hardware differences are not so easy.

Front license plate is an example I was going to use. MN requires one, many States don't. Would someone from a State where they are not required have to buy a front plate and put it on their car when entering MN. I don't think so..

Mark W
 
Mark, What section of your regs indicates that duck boats in Mn don't need to be registered? I just looked and can't find it.
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From page 14 of the 2016 MN Waterfowl hunting regulations.

"A waterfowl boat does not have to be licensed during the waterfowl hunting season for waterfowl hunting only."

Mark W
 
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Phil,
I did not refer to "trailers", my statement specifically mentioned "boats". Plates on trailers and front plates on cars are both examples of exemptions to local regulations when crossing state boundaries.
 
I understand that YOU did not state the license plate example... But is a similiar example which I think has legs, to the boat registration concern.
 
I was refering to the below:

Same logic as any other situation, you follow the rules in place for the time and area in which you are in.

When it comes to putting a plate on a trailer or a front of a car, as examples, you don't follow the rules in the area in which you are in. I would contend the boat registration is the same a registering a trailer.
 
Mark,
It is actually quite easy to comply. As stated my kayak has numbers on it ONLY because I take it to the BWCA. MN doesn't care if Iowa does not require it MN DOES require those number and folks are cited for not having them every year. Just because there are certain exemptions for OTHER laws, does not mean one can apply that exemption to totally different regulations.
 
I was refering to the below:

Same logic as any other situation, you follow the rules in place for the time and area in which you are in.

When it comes to putting a plate on a trailer or a front of a car, as examples, you don't follow the rules in the area in which you are in. I would contend the boat registration is the same a registering a trailer.
Click to expand...



Yes, the rules specifically state an exemption in those cases. Rules for over the road travel are under interstate regulations due the nature of interstate travel. That is just common sense. Please point out the exemption for boats.
 
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Relax FRANCIS, never said there was... I also don't know where the law in Iowa states it is OK an out of state trailer to NOT have a license. I do think an agruement could be made. THAT WAS MY STATEMENT.

It would be interesting to know how many citations have been issued against MN residents in WI for not having duck boats registered.
 
Most of the time no citations are even written for having your numbers covered up. I'd just rather comply than be in a position of having to argue my case in court.
 
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I would get a copy of the WI boating regs... http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/LE/LE0301.pdf ...
and look at the 5th page where it talks about registering vessels.

WI law requires certain boats to be registered, either in WI or the owner's home state. Further, if the boat will be in WI for 60 or more consecutive days it must be registered in WI. I've noticed from past experience that other states have very similar rules.

Many states do not require non-motorized boats to be registered and that can be a problem, as Dave points out, when tourists come to the BWCA.

As for MN and licensing duck boats, the exemption also applies to boats used for harvesting wild rice. It's on page 1 of our boating guide: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf
Click to expand...

Yep, this is my point exactly. WI says I can either register the boat in my home State or in Wisconsin.
Click to expand...

No, Wisconsin says you MUST register your boat in WI or your home state. Just Like MN says with Canoes, ergo the BWCA example.

Further, isn't your Hoefgen non-motorized? If your Hoefgen is not equipped with a motor it does not require registration in WI.
 
To get further off the topic. What about the regulations in MN hat require all boats travelling on its roads must have their drain plugs removed and any other item that carries water either removed or drained. If I'm travelling through MN from WI to get to SD, I wouldn't know this and yet I am violating the law. Legally could MN cite and fine you for this?


Here is what it says: "Drain plugs, bailers, valves, or other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting watercraft on public road"


Mark W
 
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